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ilegnealle's review against another edition
4.0
The third book in the Irish Century Novel Series by Morgan Llywelyn did not disappoint. It definitely holds up to the standards that it's predecessors had set for me.
There were many things I deeply loved:
- Ursula as the main character. Man, I just love strong, developed female characters. This is not to say that Ursula as a person is perfect - her political views tend to be extreme, she is quite hotheaded and at times unwilling to change her opinion. But she does develop and mature alot. I love that she is opinionated, fiercely independent and incredibly practical. That woman gets shit done! I found this to be incredibly inspirational, as she is exactly how I would like to think of myself in crisis mode - though that is probably not quite the reality.
- Almost all characters get a somewhat happy/peaceful ending. Now I know, I know. That is probably not realistic at all. I deeply believe that we all deserve happy endings, and I know that not all of us will get one. But these poor people have suffered enough, and I am confronted every single day with the horrors of this world, so I think these characters deserve good things happening to them. After all, I am reading this for entertainment purposes, not educational ones. And there were by far enough horrible, heartbreaking things in this book.
-
There were also some aspects of this book that irritated me a bit (which is why this book gets 4 and not 5 stars):
- The book covers a very long time span, from 1925 until 1949. However, the book is only 400 pages long. I just did some basic math: that leaves us with about 16,6 pages per year. While some years are covered in greater detail than others, it is at times disappointing that some parts are just brushed over (because I want all of it! Every single year in great detail would have been really interesting to read and would have helped to understand Ursula's development even better).
- The title. Now I understand why it is titled '1949', because that is the year the Irish republic was finally officially founded (/the free state ended) and all books in the series are named after the years of important landmarks in the history of Ireland. However, guess how many pages actually take place in 1949. the final five. The first two books covered a much shorter time span (five years each), ehich meant that a significant amount of time was actually spend in that year. Now I know this point is not really relevant because the title doesn't change the contents of the book (which I greatly enjoyed), but I will say that I expected something a bit different.
- While some experineces Ursula makes are described in great detail and really fleshed out in a beautiful, realistic way that pulls the reader in, other events that I deemed equally if not more relevant and influential to her live were brushed over a bit. The main thing I'm talking about here is
Now I know that that looks like a lot of criticism, but the things I disliked are really only minor and do not take away from the great experience that was reading this book.
Trigger warnings: death of relatives, death of a pet, pregnancy, birth, miscarriage, mention of suicide, mention of Nazi propaganda, mention of Nazi crimes, execution, becoming blind, alcoholism, domestic violence, sexual assault, adultery, discrimination by the catholic church, discrimination based on religion
I'm sorry if I missed any trigger warnings, those were all I could think of off the top of my head.
There were many things I deeply loved:
- Ursula as the main character. Man, I just love strong, developed female characters. This is not to say that Ursula as a person is perfect - her political views tend to be extreme, she is quite hotheaded and at times unwilling to change her opinion. But she does develop and mature alot. I love that she is opinionated, fiercely independent and incredibly practical. That woman gets shit done! I found this to be incredibly inspirational, as she is exactly how I would like to think of myself in crisis mode - though that is probably not quite the reality.
- Almost all characters get a somewhat happy/peaceful ending. Now I know, I know. That is probably not realistic at all. I deeply believe that we all deserve happy endings, and I know that not all of us will get one. But these poor people have suffered enough, and I am confronted every single day with the horrors of this world, so I think these characters deserve good things happening to them. After all, I am reading this for entertainment purposes, not educational ones. And there were by far enough horrible, heartbreaking things in this book.
-
Spoiler
Ursula does not end up in a romantic relationship, neither by choice nor by force. I just love that she independent and self-reliant, and that she is allowed to keep her principles even when her situation changes dramatically. I love that becoming a mother does not bring unto her the realisation that she was wrong all along and surprisingly, all she really wants to be in life is a housewive (though there is nothing wrong with that in general! I just enjoy seeing female characters that are not defined by their relationships to men.There were also some aspects of this book that irritated me a bit (which is why this book gets 4 and not 5 stars):
- The book covers a very long time span, from 1925 until 1949. However, the book is only 400 pages long. I just did some basic math: that leaves us with about 16,6 pages per year. While some years are covered in greater detail than others, it is at times disappointing that some parts are just brushed over (because I want all of it! Every single year in great detail would have been really interesting to read and would have helped to understand Ursula's development even better).
- The title. Now I understand why it is titled '1949', because that is the year the Irish republic was finally officially founded (/the free state ended) and all books in the series are named after the years of important landmarks in the history of Ireland. However, guess how many pages actually take place in 1949. the final five. The first two books covered a much shorter time span (five years each), ehich meant that a significant amount of time was actually spend in that year. Now I know this point is not really relevant because the title doesn't change the contents of the book (which I greatly enjoyed), but I will say that I expected something a bit different.
- While some experineces Ursula makes are described in great detail and really fleshed out in a beautiful, realistic way that pulls the reader in, other events that I deemed equally if not more relevant and influential to her live were brushed over a bit. The main thing I'm talking about here is
Spoiler
Ursula's reaction to being a new mother who also has to rely on herself for the most part and starts working again almost immediately. While it becomes obvious that Ursula loves her son, her emotions toward him and her new role are not really described, ever. Which is sad! It woul be interesting to witness her feelings more clearly here, because I don't think that becoming a mother was something that Ursula would have ever wanted or planned for herself (largely because she does not want to ever get married and isn't interested in being in a relationship. She just isn't very traditionally feminine, which is obviously not the same as not wanting to become a mother. But I think her struggle to come to terms with her new role would have been an interesting plot point.Now I know that that looks like a lot of criticism, but the things I disliked are really only minor and do not take away from the great experience that was reading this book.
Trigger warnings: death of relatives, death of a pet, pregnancy, birth, miscarriage, mention of suicide, mention of Nazi propaganda, mention of Nazi crimes, execution, becoming blind, alcoholism, domestic violence, sexual assault, adultery, discrimination by the catholic church, discrimination based on religion
I'm sorry if I missed any trigger warnings, those were all I could think of off the top of my head.
kanejim57's review against another edition
4.0
I continue to be impressed and entertained by this series. With World War Two behind them, the main characters move into the 1950's as Ursula Halloran and her son Barry, navigate life on the farm that has been part of the Halloran family for many years.
Again, I think that Llywelyn does a good job of integrating the stories of the fictional characters into the narrative of that time and place in Ireland, and the world. (Audio)
Again, I think that Llywelyn does a good job of integrating the stories of the fictional characters into the narrative of that time and place in Ireland, and the world. (Audio)
nicolepiermanwriter's review
5.0
1949 by Morgan Llewelyn is the 3rd book in the Irish Century Novels series. I enjoyed reading about Ursula Holloran's perspective in a time period where women were almost equal once again—until the Irish government became an ultra-Catholic country.
YouTube review link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2bzmn17Yh-k
YouTube review link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2bzmn17Yh-k
rebekel89's review
dark
informative
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.75
kboc923's review
3.0
i didn't like this one as much as the first two in the series. i don't know if it was ursula or the love story, but it didn't work as well for me as the last two.
katrinaburch's review
4.0
This book has been the best so far of the series! It read a lot faster than the first two and I don't know if that's because it's more in a time frame that I'm more familiar with or because WWII is a passion of mine or what, but it did. In addition to learning about Irish history, I learned stuff about WWII that I didn't know which is really fascinating!
canada_matt's review against another edition
4.0
In an Irish independence series that keeps getting better, Morgan Llywelyn lays further groundwork for readers to better understand the struggle and plight that pervaded much of the 20th century. In what would later be called the inter-war years, Ireland and the rest of the United Kingdom are in a somewhat peaceable state. However, the thorn remains of Northern Ireland not being part of the independent Ireland, a theme not lost on the ever-maturing Ursula Halloran. After completing her studies, she leaves Ireland for a time before returning with a thirst to relay the news while promoting all that is Ireland. Securing a position at 2RN, the Irish National Broadcaster, Ursula begins to see the world’s reaction to the Irish question, as well as the build-up of European aggression with a few strong political leaders in Germany, Spain, and Italy. The IRA is still holding firm that it will stop at nothing while the North remains under British rule, but Ursula is not part of any formal plan to force the question. As Western leaders stand by and allow Hitler to march across the continent, claiming spoils without reaction, she cannot help but wonder if the sentiment would have been the same had Ireland tried this approach. After an accidental tryst leaves Ursula questioning her own integrity, she flees for Switzerland under the auspices of covering the League of Nations. War explodes across Europe and Ursula bears a son, nicknamed Barry. She wishes never to tell anyone of his father and remains stoic and vague, even when pressed. While Ireland stays neutral in the Second World War, there is a push to shake off the final shackles of British servitude; renunciation of their place in the Commonwealth. This will surely be the first item on the agenda when all fighting has been concluded. Once Ursula returns to her native Ireland and sets her sights on further independence, an apparent stranger darkens her door. Ned Halloran is back and very ill. He has come home to make amends with those with whom he created a schism during the Irish Civil War. Allowing Barry to meet and learn about his grandfather, Ursula can only hope that she will be as strong a fighter as her father came to be in the Irish fight for independence. Ireland stands as a Republic, but what is next on the agenda? Llywelyn presents another stunning tale not to be missed by those who enjoy the series, as well as readers with an interest in modern Irish history.
Morgan Llywelyn does well in this book again to show that things were anything but simple or straightforward with the Irish Question, leaving the reader to learn and ask some of the poignant questions. In what is becoming a true multi-generational series, Ursula Halloran takes the spotlight, having evolved from the orphaned Precious into a woman with both grit and determination as she seeks to fulfil more of the passions her ‘parents’ raised her to hold. Mixing the best attributes of Ned Halloran and Henry Mooney from the previous books, Ursula finds herself reporting the news and watching the world react to others who sought to turn their respective countries over in their own images, with little interference, especially by the British. Llywelyn contrasts this nicely with the Irish Question, both bluntly and subtly through Ursula’s thoughts and actions, a brilliant effort. Add to that the arrival of Barry and his veiled parentage, which is sure to propel the story forward in the fourth novel the series has to offer. Many others grace the pages of this piece, historical figures and those created by Llywelyn, offering varied flavours to the complex narrative. Llywelyn effectively builds the Irish sentiment throughout, leading to the 1949 declaration of its being a republic and no longer part of the Commonwealth. This novel was again a strong piece, full of history and great development, with a lighter feel to it. The attentive reader will enjoy a mix of longer and quick chapters. There is much to be learned in this neutral perspective as the world rushes to its own political and social fires. I am eager to see what comes next in this great series, sure to offer added twists and turns as history marches onwards.
Kudos, Madam Llywelyn, for never losing momentum in a century that saw a great deal of torment and maturity for the Irish Free State.
Love/hate the review? An ever-growing collection of others appears at:
http://pecheyponderings.wordpress.com/
A Book for All Seasons, a different sort of Book Challenge: https://www.goodreads.com/group/show/248185-a-book-for-all-seasons
Morgan Llywelyn does well in this book again to show that things were anything but simple or straightforward with the Irish Question, leaving the reader to learn and ask some of the poignant questions. In what is becoming a true multi-generational series, Ursula Halloran takes the spotlight, having evolved from the orphaned Precious into a woman with both grit and determination as she seeks to fulfil more of the passions her ‘parents’ raised her to hold. Mixing the best attributes of Ned Halloran and Henry Mooney from the previous books, Ursula finds herself reporting the news and watching the world react to others who sought to turn their respective countries over in their own images, with little interference, especially by the British. Llywelyn contrasts this nicely with the Irish Question, both bluntly and subtly through Ursula’s thoughts and actions, a brilliant effort. Add to that the arrival of Barry and his veiled parentage, which is sure to propel the story forward in the fourth novel the series has to offer. Many others grace the pages of this piece, historical figures and those created by Llywelyn, offering varied flavours to the complex narrative. Llywelyn effectively builds the Irish sentiment throughout, leading to the 1949 declaration of its being a republic and no longer part of the Commonwealth. This novel was again a strong piece, full of history and great development, with a lighter feel to it. The attentive reader will enjoy a mix of longer and quick chapters. There is much to be learned in this neutral perspective as the world rushes to its own political and social fires. I am eager to see what comes next in this great series, sure to offer added twists and turns as history marches onwards.
Kudos, Madam Llywelyn, for never losing momentum in a century that saw a great deal of torment and maturity for the Irish Free State.
Love/hate the review? An ever-growing collection of others appears at:
http://pecheyponderings.wordpress.com/
A Book for All Seasons, a different sort of Book Challenge: https://www.goodreads.com/group/show/248185-a-book-for-all-seasons
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